Does Microsoft donate to fundraisers?
Last updated September 30, 2026
Compiled from Microsoft's published guidelines, other public sources, and user reports. How we research these pages
Not for fundraiser prizes. Microsoft's nonprofit program gives eligible nonprofits free and discounted software and cloud services for their own staff, such as Microsoft 365 Business Basic free for up to 300 users. The licenses cannot be resold or passed on, schools and professional sports groups are not eligible, and you start by registering online to confirm eligibility.
Donation program at a glance
Who can apply
- Does not donate to individuals
- Does not donate to for-profit events
Donation programs change — always confirm on Microsoft's own page before you apply.
Get the application link plus your full matched list — free.
Donation programs change — always confirm on the company's own page.
Eligible organizations are nonprofits or non-governmental organizations with recognized legal status in their country (equal to 501(c)(3) status in the US), public libraries and public museums.
They must also operate on a not-for-profit basis with a mission to benefit the local community, such as relieving poverty, advancing education or improving social welfare.
Not eligible: schools, colleges and universities; government bodies; professional and semi-professional sports organizations; political, labor and fraternal organizations; and professional and trade associations.
What is offered: Microsoft 365 Business Basic free for up to 300 users, grants of up to 50 Windows 11 Professional licenses through TechSoup, Power BI Desktop for free, Power Apps free for up to 10 users, and discounted pricing on other Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and Azure products.
Granted licenses are for paid employees and unpaid executive staff only. Beneficiaries, donors and members, such as members of a church, club or sports team, are not eligible.
Tips from the program page: These are licenses for running your organization, not items for an auction or raffle: Microsoft does not allow nonprofit licenses to be shared, transferred, rented or resold.
What Microsoft donates
Microsoft has typically donated: Software Grants.
Who can apply
Microsoft does not donate to individuals. Microsoft does not support events run for profit.
How to apply
Microsoft asks every request to include the following.
- Register your organization and confirm eligibility online before using any nonprofit offer.
- The person registering must be an employee or strategic volunteer of the nonprofit; an outside IT provider cannot register on its behalf.
What Microsoft will not fund
Microsoft states in its own published guidelines that it will not fund the following.
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Governmental organizations or agencies
- Professional and semi-professional sports organizations
- Political, labor and fraternal organizations
- Professional, commerce and trade associations
- Sharing, transferring, renting or reselling nonprofit licenses
This covers only what Microsoft states. A request can still be turned down for reasons a company does not publish.
Common questions
Can a school, team, or individual apply to Microsoft?
Microsoft states that it will not fund: Schools, colleges and universities; Governmental organizations or agencies; Professional and semi-professional sports organizations; Political, labor and fraternal organizations; Professional, commerce and trade associations; Sharing, transferring, renting or reselling nonprofit licenses. Check your organization and your event against that list before you apply — those are the restrictions Microsoft publishes itself.
More Grants companies that donate
- Nordstrom — Other · Annual application window: October 1-31 lead time · National
- SC Johnson — 90 - 120 days lead time · National
- Target — National
- Walmart (Grants) — Check website for individual application schedules lead time · National
- Wells Fargo — 90+ days (sponsorships); up to 120 days for decision lead time · National
- Bausch + Lomb — Other · Quarterly review; submit 2 months before Advisory Committee meeting month lead time · National